Oporto, Portugal Cruise from Porto to Sal Island — 16 Days

Porto-Leixoes, Portugal

Porto is a city best approached on foot, where steep lanes descend towards the Douro and the Atlantic beyond. Across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia’s historic port-wine lodges offer tastings and views back to the old town. Between them, the Ribeira waterfront, tiled churches and iron bridges tell the story of a trading city shaped by water. Taste tawny port, then linger over market halls, intimate museums and unhurried meals.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a city best approached with time and comfortable shoes. Its seven hills rise above the Tagus, linking tiled lanes, grand squares and viewpoints with wide river views. In Alfama, narrow streets preserve the feel of old Lisbon. In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower recall Portugal’s age of discovery. Pause for coffee and a warm pastel de nata between sights.

At Sea (At Sea)

Porto Santo Island Madeira, Portugal

Porto Santo rewards travellers who prefer substance to spectacle. Set in Madeira’s Atlantic archipelago, this small island is known for a remarkable nine-kilometre sweep of golden sand. Vila Baleira, its compact main town, offers cafés, a harbour and the house associated with Christopher Columbus. Beyond the beach, volcanic hills and dry, open landscapes invite unhurried walks and island-wide views. Come for clean horizons, long swims and a gentler pace than Madeira’s livelier resorts.

Funchal, Portugal

Funchal sits in a broad, sunlit amphitheatre above Madeira’s deep Atlantic harbour. Its compact centre rewards exploration, from the Old Town’s painted doors to the cathedral’s carved cedar ceiling. Ride the cable car uphill to Monte for sweeping views, then descend through gardens or by traditional wicker toboggan. Madeira’s wines and market produce offer a taste of the island before your ship sails.

• Deserta Grande Island Madeira (Scenic Stop)

San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain

San Sebastián de la Gomera is a small port with a large place in Atlantic history. Columbus called here in 1492 before sailing west, and the town rewards a leisurely walk. See the 15th-century Torre del Conde, then visit the Church of the Assumption, linked to his stay. Beyond the waterfront, La Gomera’s steep green interior leads to Garajonay National Park, where ancient laurel forest fills deep ravines.

Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain

Santa Cruz de la Palma is a small island capital with an outsized sense of history. Founded in 1493, it grew into an important Atlantic port, and its old quarter still bears that maritime confidence. Walk Calle Real for handsome colonial façades, then look for carved wooden balconies along Avenida Marítima. Beyond town, La Palma’s steep green interior leads to the dramatic Caldera de Taburiente National Park.

At Sea (At Sea)

Mindelo

Mindelo brings Cape Verde’s Atlantic character into sharp focus: a working harbour, Portuguese-era façades and a distinctive Creole culture. The waterfront faces sheltered Porto Grande, while cafés and music venues give the town a sociable rhythm. Explore Praça Nova and the Centro Nacional de Artesanato e Design, where local craft traditions are on display. For a wider view, drive up Monte Verde, São Vicente’s highest point, on a clear day.

Santo Antao Island

Santo Antão rises in volcanic peaks above Porto Novo. From the ferry quay, a winding road climbs past ravines, terraced farms and cloud-brushed ridges. The Paul Valley is lush with sugar cane and banana groves on steep terraces. Beyond Ribeira Grande, footpaths lead through some of Cape Verde’s most striking mountain scenery. Allow time for the road itself; its hairpin bends reveal a different face of the island at every turn.

Sao Nicolau Island

São Nicolau rewards travellers who seek Cape Verde beyond the familiar beach resorts. From Tarrafal’s working harbour, roads climb into a rugged interior of volcanic peaks, terraced fields and quiet villages. Ribeira Brava brings pastel façades and a glimpse of the island’s cultural life. Above it, Monte Gordo Natural Park offers cool upland walks, endemic plants and wide views. Come for a quieter Cape Verde, where the landscape sets the pace.

Fogo Island

Fogo Island sits off Newfoundland’s northeast coast, where the North Atlantic shapes both the landscape and daily life. From the ferry landing, roads lead through small communities of painted houses, working wharves and weathered fishing stages. Visit Fogo village for its heritage sites, or follow coastal trails to coves, barrens and broad ocean views. The celebrated Fogo Island Inn brings contemporary design to this remote setting. Local studios and cafés offer a closer look at island life.

Boa Vista Island

Boa Vista is Cape Verde’s easternmost island, where Atlantic beaches meet a landscape of sand dunes and volcanic hills. Sal Rei, the relaxed island capital, makes an easy starting point. Nearby, Praia de Chaves offers long white sands, while the Viana dunes bring a striking desert-like scene. Look for the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck on the northern coast, a reminder of the island’s maritime past.

Sal Island

Sal is a sunlit, wind-shaped island in Cape Verde, prized for long beaches and clear Atlantic water. Santa Maria, its lively seaside town, pairs a palm-fringed promenade with seafood restaurants and easy access to the shore. Pedra de Lume’s salt pans lie within an extinct volcanic crater. Espargos offers a glimpse of everyday island life. Come for warm days, then follow the trade winds into waters known for kitesurfing and sailing.